Article 8 Alliance Intercepted by State Police At “Freedom to Marry" Awards Presentation
By MassNews Staff
Posted 2-11-05
       The Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry made it clear yesterday that their definition of “Freedom” does not include free speech, or any dissenting opinion from their particular agenda.  Despite the fact that the event that was held in public at the Great Hall on Beacon Hill and was designated as an “open” event, State Police were out in force looking for individuals from Article 8 Alliance before it began.  One member of Article 8 was confronted by an angry State Police officer who reportedly said: “I'm not taking any crap from you people. So get away right now or I'll throw your **s right out of this building."
       The meeting was held to honor Sen. Marian Walsh, Rep. Marie St. Fleur, Episcopal Bishop Thomas Shaw, the Unitarian Universalist Association (accepted by UUA President Rev. William Sinkford), and Rabbi Daniel Judson.   Walsh and St. Fleur (both Roman Catholics) were particularly honored for their opposition to their own churches teaching regarding same-sex marriage. (See related Globe Story).
       During one of the presentations, some members of the Article 8 Alliance had signs in the windows behind the podium urging the overturning of the Goodridge decision.  The signs were removed by State Police and the members escorted away.